Tell me about having a pool

[teresah00]

I like the idea of Having some ground rules. My parents pool is in the fenced yard but accessible thru the house. There's an alarm, but a lot of time the screen door is open w all the in and out. Our rule is no kids outside without an adult.

My kids are 4 and 6.5. They do not need a lifejacket or anything in the pool. The 4 yo can't stand in the pool (he can in the hot tub that we keep warm pool temp now since its easier and cheaper to heat). My 4 to is allowed in the deep end only w an adult. He lOves to dive in and swim to the side. My 6 yo is allowed to swim w me sitting on the side. I would probably err on the side of caution if there's a larger crowd.

We've been to many swim parties at DH's cousins house. My kids were the only children supervised. Either me or FIl were in pool or sitting at the edge. All the others ( same ages and not swimmers) were put in swimmies or life jackets and the parents walked away from the pool deck and didn't even watch their kids!!

I was shocked and horrified.

[sarahsthreads]

Originally Posted by DualvansMommy

A question to all the pool owners with open policy for extended family, friends, and neighbors to stop by your pool with their little ones; do you make them sign a waiver? Apparently here it's starting to pop up which I think is bit excessive? As in Jersey, all pool owners are mandated to have a fence around the pool with alarm for insurance.

We have to have a fence, but no alarm. We have combination padlocks on the fence, and the pool fence completely closes it off from the rest of the yard and the house.

I personally would never make my friends or family sign a waiver unless my insurance company wouldn't insure us otherwise. (I mean, that's why we carry homeowner's insurance, right?) But my friends are good at watching their own kids in our pool, and if they weren't I wouldn't invite them back.

Sarah